The Case of the Mysterious Sapphire [D6|EE]

[Tenzing]

Good job he hadn't put his smartest clothes back in storage...

Ah the Sapphire Lounge. Where the best and brightest, sorry, richest and most obnoxious, of Bellionas' high society could be reliably found. It had been a long time since his last visit. If he thought hard enough he could still feel the slap.

Having cleaned up nicely it only took a little of that old Tenzing Charm* to get him through the doors. Of course, he was expected so the doorbeings probably wouldn't have kept him long regardless.

Walking inside he took a moment to look around and take in the atmosphere. More memories flashed before his eyes, bringing a grin to his face. Approaching the welcome desk he said he was here to see Saph and scanned the room while he waited.


*Charm Passive check used to enter.

[Meiyokashi]

At a podium near the front, much like some fancy restaurants, the woman wore a small and tight uniform with a patented smile. Though as she looked to him it seemed to brighten a bit. "Saph.." she checked the terminal set into her podium. Scanning through with a few quick brushes of her finger she looks surprised for a moment.

"Ah.. yea, the investigator?" she looks up to him, uncertain. "Says here I should escort you up there myself if it is," her demeanor said business as usual, her eyes said she hoped he was. She was a young woman, pretty too, probably the daughter of one of the lower ends of rich folk around these parts.

[Tenzing]

Watchful eyes picked up the details and filed them away. Maybe it meant something, that hope. "The Investigator. Yeah, that's me." Keeping it friendly he added: "You're new around here, right?"

With a smooth gesture he indicated that she could lead on. "I think I remember the way, but the company's appreciated. How's business?" The place would probably fill up later. It was still a bit early for the it crowd.

[Meiyokashi]

"Not that new-" she laughs briefly, glancing toward one of the others nearby and signaling them toward the podium. Stepping out from behind it she turned to show him the way forward, before committing with his gesture, "Business is well.. lot of really powerful people come here. Got a few private rooms that are even kept for them and them alone," she looks back, conspiracy in her eye as she smiles to him.

"But it's quiet, Saph likes it that way, means business is getting done. Of course we have a few events now and again.. there's even a mixer planned in a couple weeks, it's for the really important people who come here. Old wealthy names," she looks back to him, "maybe.. if things go well with Saph you'll invited?"

[Tenzing]

Tenzing smirked, but it was friendly response to her laughter more than anything else. "Yeah well, Saph has always known who to keep on side. Glad it's going well for her."

He followed along at a relaxed pace somewhat enjoying the change of scene. "Wealthy names you say? Guess we'll see if I get myself in the good books, hmm?" An amused smile followed. "So, do you like working here?"

[Meiyokashi]

"It's nice," the admission came with the first step on the stairway up toward the second floor. "Beautiful view.. sometimes more than others," she glances over toward the major window face that makes up most of the lounge. "And sometimes interesting people even come through. Most are quiet when dealing with us but that's not really so bad," she looks back halfway up, giving a smile.

As they reach the landing she looks back to him while he climbs, "What's it like being an investigator? Exciting as I think it is?"

[Tenzing]

"You've probably seen and heard some interesting things. Sometimes quiet is better. It ain't always a good thing to be noticed by powerful people." Rather than elaborate he just let the comment hang for a few seconds.

"What's it like being an investigator? Hmm. You ever watch that old holo show Ironside? About the CorSec Detective with two cybernetic legs? Kinda like that, but with more kaff, less pay, and worse hours." He winked.

[Meiyokashi]

"Ironside.. yea, I think my Dad watched that a lot when I was growing up," she laughs softly, giving a brief glance in the direction they were going and walks with them. While most of the way she lead him just a few steps ahead she walked more in line with him here- and give the small space they were almost shoulder to shoulder.

"Well- if I know anything about lady Saph is that she pays pretty well when it comes to contractors. So.. hopefully we can fix at least one of those, hmm?" she returns a wink and brings him to an unassuming door on the far end of the walk. Glass window in the middle with a sheet of durasteel underneath the pane with a simple metal handle.

"Head on inside, she's waiting for you. Maybe I'll be here when you're headed out?" she smiles as she gives him a little nod toward the door.

[Tenzing]

"Hey, your old man has good taste then. Thanks for the walk and talk. Hope to see you later." He returned the smile before focusing on the door.

In his experience an unassuming door usually meant business. Austentatious or obvious security was almost always for show. He fixed his well-worn unreadable Detective Inspector expression in place and opened the door...

[Meiyokashi]

Entering into the room he walked into a space that from the first step he could feel how it was designed for business and comfort. There were pleasing decorations lining some of the walls, with smart-looking wooden furniture. A central desk of elegant design set up to entertain a singular guest, based on the armchair on one side and the cushioned office chair on the other. Drawers, cabinets, and at least one medium sized statue of a Nexu in one of the corners with a few plants to give the room some added oxygen.

Standing by the glass wall, tinted with some protections, Saph herself stood looking down over the city. A late-middle aged woman with short blonde hair, and a lit smoking pipe in her hand. White blouse, mid-length dark skirt, and a fur wrapped elegantly around her shoulders.

When he entered she said nothing, just waited.

[Tenzing]

Tens walked into a scene fit for a holo drama. She was a hell of a broad that Saph. Elegant, poised, exuding an effortless grace that had captured many a heart...the way a black hole captures anything that strays too close. Rarely was it given back.

His eyes swiftly cased the joint. Professional. Personalised, but not personal. No holos of loved ones, or a younger Saph. It was definitely a space for business.

Moving closer he approached the window, keeping a few meters between them as he looked down, following her gaze. Capitol City stared right back. The lights of the Upper seemed more cheerful than they deserved to be. Even the pipe smoke didn't smell too bad. It had been a while.

Speaking first would have seemed crass. He kept his nerve. The silence felt almost companionable.

[Meiyokashi]

In that silence she took a long drag of her pipe. In the reflection he could see her eyes shift, down and then straight ahead. Enjoying that silence, the subtle clues and tones it created in their association. Turning to face him the woman smiled, she was older now but the beauty she once was still shines through save for one exception, a horrible scar that runs from the corner of her upper lip up the side of her face cutting just over the eye and stopping mid-way in her forehead.

"Sit," she indicated the chair with a dab from her pipe, "please," she insisted with a smile.

[Tenzing]

The face was a story. Each line a piece of a puzzle. The scar was an exclamation mark, it said: Life!

"Thanks." He returned the smile, taking the offered seat gracefully. "Where would you like to begin?"

In his smart clothes, and having cleaned himself up a bit, he almost looked like he belonged. Almost.

[Meiyokashi]

"I have a big job for you.." she walks over to her desk, with the admission. Taking her seat elegantly, just off to the side, and faces her torso toward him in a manner to maintain her command. "However, before I have you look into that matter I want.. proof. Proof that you are as good as I hear, and as able to deliver when you're asked to."

"I've spent years suffering fools and I would prefer not to have to do it again, hmm?" she smiles, and then leans forward a bit to her desk. Taking a drag from her pipe she holds the smoke while searching for papers. That long trail starting to slowly pour from the corner of her mouth as she gathers together a small folder and a data-vault.

Sliding first the folder over she leaves it for him at the edge of the table, *datavault to it's side.

*datavault: It's a bit clunkier of a device, but like the star wars version of a USB Flashdrive.

[Tenzing]

"Sensible. I'd expect nothing less." Having spent years in law enforcement the comment about suffering fools felt like a comfortable pair of pants.

He pulled out his datapad and placed it on the table. It had probably taken Saph years to master the smoke like that. He imagined her practicing in her room until it was ready to be unleashed on an unsuspecting public.

He left the datavault and his pad in place and began with the folder. There was something comforting about physical copy. He noted the quality of the material and any lingering scent, whether it was well worn. Once satisfied he flipped it open.

[Meiyokashi]

From the scent, the folder was new but sprayed with a perfume of some kind. A single spritz, perhaps to get rid of that new folder smell by someone who didn't care much for the scent of it. Inside, he found a dossier within. First page giving him all the information he could ask for when needing to get intimate with the identity of a target, picture attached,



Name: Jarkov Filkanossis
Alias: Grand
Demographic: Human, Male, Aged 30 Years.

Last Known Location: Bellionas-bound.

From the rest of the information gathered he can surmise that Grand is a relatively average sized human male who once had great criminal connections but has since fell out of favor. Those close enough to have heard about his plans when coming to Bellionas report him suggesting that the local casino's were something he's heard about. However, as he's fallen out of favor there is a chance he wound up elsewhere. Their is also mention of this being a job for a client who isn't aware of the job being conducted as of yet.

[There is a lot more information on Grand presented, but for the sake of brevity I'll let you know about it if it comes up necessary over the course of the investigation.]

[Tenzing]

Nothing like a comprehensive case file to get the Investigator senses flowing. He took it all in with a professional demeanor, looking for more subtle clues.

When he had read the key points he nodded and turned to the datavault. With a few clicks it was connected up to his datapad. He told the pad to access the files and waited to see what was in there...

[Meiyokashi]

When he loaded it up the datavault, through the datapads screen, requested a password. Which was when Saph leaned in a little over the desk, ash falling from her pipe, "That- will be something you will hand to the target once you find him. A message and some more from yours truly. Your target will possess the passcode. Though.. he may not realize he knows it, at first," she smiles, she certainly liked being a woman in control.

[Tenzing]

Well that explained a few things. And added a whole list of new questions that were probably above his pay grade.

He closed the folder and disconnected the datapad. Professional calm slipped over him. "Alright, I'm interested. Do you want him brought in as well?"

That would add a layer of difficulty, but always best to ask the client exactly what they wanted.

[Meiyokashi]

"That would be my preference but.. not if he's unwilling. Delivering that to him his enough," she gives a brief flick of her pipe toward the datavault. Giving him a look over and a smile, appreciative in the nature of it. "And of course, you'll report back to me everything you learn," she punctuated that by taking a drag from her pipe but seeming unsatisfied, setting the pipe down to the side for now.